selectman

noun

se·​lect·​man sə-ˈlek(t)-ˌman 

-ˌlek(t)-ˈman,

-ˈlek(t)-mən;

ˈsē-ˌlek(t)-ˌman

: one of a board of officials elected in towns of all New England states except Rhode Island to serve as the chief administrative authority of the town

Examples of selectman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Boston Globe reported last month that Dan Koh, a former Andover, Mass., selectman and aide to former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, is considering a run. —Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2025

Otherwise, the general welfare of the town and its people had been turned over to the selectmen—that is, to a government. —Gary Greenberg, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024

When Canton jailbird selectman Chris Albert did six months in prison in 1994 for a hit-and-run homicide, who was his lawyer? A. Judge Auntie Bev B. Meatball Morrissey C. Auntie Bev’s brother D. Adam Lally 2. —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 14 July 2024

Honig, a selectman in Harwinton, lost a close race to Seminara two years ago when the seat was open. —Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 14 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

selectman

noun

se·​lect·​man si-ˈlek(t)-ˌman 

-mən;

-ˌlek(t)-ˈman

: one of a group of town officials elected annually in some of the New England states

Legal Definition

selectman

noun

se·​lect·​man si-ˈlekt-mən, -ˌman 

: one of a board of officials elected in towns of all New England states except Rhode Island to serve as the chief administrative authority of the town